Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the latest team news ahead of our trip to face Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Kai Havertz was back in the matchday squad for our 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, and will be hoping to get his first minutes since returning from injury against the Seagulls.
“He’s done a part of the session,” Mikel said on Kai, “so we will have to wait and see whether he’s available and in which condition.”
The boss also gave an update on Declan Rice, who was forced off in the second half of Sunday’s London derby win with a knock.
“I hope [he is available]. He was much better today.
“Obviously, we haven’t really trained because we have only two days to prepare the game. So hopefully, it’s going to be better tomorrow.”
Along with Kai and Declan, Martin Odegaard is also pushing to be involved in Wednesday’s squad, with the boss saying, “we have to wait and see how comfortable he is to do certain actions.”
Mikel also confirmed in his press conference that while Ben White won’t be back to face his former club, David Raya and Max Dowman are both fit.
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As well as discussing injury news, the boss spoke on Martin Zubimendi’s minutes in his first season as a Gunner.
“[There are] different circumstances. Obviously, the number of games and competitions we’re involved in, certain injuries as well.
“The fact that obviously he’s been so well and for a first year, he’s had a great season. We have to [manage his fitness].”
Martin is one of a number of our first team players who have been playing a huge number of games this season between our four club competitions and international duties.
The boss expressed the importance of monitoring the fitness of the squad as we face a potentially record-breaking number of matches this season.
“There are guys going with their national teams in March, and on top of that, we have a World Cup, so for sure, that’s something we keep an eye on.
“But they’re going to break every record they had in the past, whether it’s in one season, two or three, because the number of games they have it’s inevitable.”
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